It all started on May 7. Before Game Six against the Penguins, Ovechkin asked Jay Beagle if he could take the fourth-line center’s tradition of doing a solo lap around the rink before the team’s morning skate.

The Capitals gave us a compelling performance in Game One, snatching an important road victory and an early series lead. I suspect Jon Cooper’s Lightning will play much better in Game Two, which will air on NBC Sports at 8 PM, giving you plenty of time to spend time with the mother figures in your life before then.